North Devon Beaches for Dogs: Complete Guide

North Devon Beaches for Dogs: Complete Guide

North Devon is a dog owner's paradise. The area boasts some of Devon's finest year-round dog beaches, a dramatic coastline with spectacular surf, and a rural character that feels genuinely undiscovered even in the height of summer. This guide covers every notable beach in North Devon with current dog access information. For a county-wide overview, see our full Devon dog beach guide.

Year-Round Dog Beaches in North Devon

Saunton Sands

Saunton Sands is the crown jewel of North Devon's dog beaches: a vast, three-mile arc of flat sand that remains welcoming to dogs all year round. The dune system behind (Braunton Burrows) is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and provides excellent additional walking. Parking is available at both ends of the beach.

Croyde Bay

Croyde Bay is a surf beach backed by dunes and the charming village of Croyde. Year-round dog access, excellent for dogs who love the waves, and the village has several dog-friendly establishments. Rock pools extend from the southern headland at low tide. The walk around Baggy Point to Saunton is one of Devon's finest coastal routes, covered in our Devon dog walks guide.

Instow Beach

Instow is a sheltered, sandy beach at the meeting of the Taw and Torridge estuaries. Year-round dog access, calm water, and a pleasant village backdrop. The ferry to Appledore runs from the beach in summer.

Welcombe Mouth

A remote, wild cove accessible via a steep path from the car park. Truly isolated, with year-round dog access and rarely visited. Spectacular in winter storms.

Seasonal Dog Access Beaches in North Devon

Westward Ho!

Westward Ho! is a traditional seaside resort with a long stretch of beach and a pebble ridge. Seasonal dog restrictions apply in parts of the beach from May to September, but large sections remain accessible year-round. The town itself is very dog-friendly. For specific dates, see our Devon summer dog ban dates guide.

Combe Martin Beach

A small beach at the foot of the valley at Combe Martin, with seasonal restrictions. The valley walk from the village down to the beach is excellent dog-walking country regardless of beach restrictions.

After the Beach: Pubs and Parking

North Devon has some excellent dog-friendly pubs within reach of the coast. For recommendations near Saunton, Croyde, and Instow, see our dog-friendly pubs near Devon beaches guide. For parking advice at North Devon's beaches, see our Devon beach parking guide.

Practical North Devon Tips

• Tides at Saunton and Croyde: Both beaches are dramatically different at low tide (vast sands) versus high tide (narrow). Arrive at or around low tide for maximum space.
• Braunton Burrows: The dune system behind Saunton Sands is freely accessible year-round and offers miles of walking through spectacular landscapes.
• North Devon Link Road: The A361 North Devon Link Road connects Barnstaple to the M5, making North Devon accessible from most of the UK.
• Parking: North Devon car parks are generally less crowded than South Devon or Cornwall, but Croyde can get very busy on summer weekends. Arrive early.

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